There’s a new twist in the continuing controversy over a proposed air park in Leighton Township.
Developer Clark Galloway has introduced
a revised, scaled down plan for installing an air strip near the intersection of 144th Avenue and Kalamazoo Avenue. His first proposal was for a 3,000-foot strip to include about 15 residences with hangars for a special aviation residential community for as many as 25 planes. The proposal he submitted Wednesday evening to the Township Planning Commission calls for a 2,100-foot landing strip 80 feet wide for a combined five aircraft.
Galloway’s partner is Township Supervisor Steve Deer, who has been careful not to vote on any of the issues regarding the development and he has restrained himself from public discussions.
Nearby residents have expressed opposition to the project, citing concerns about noise, safety and compatibility with the rural residential and agricultural community they believe Leighton to be.
The site already has a private air strip, associated for more than 40 years with the Martin family, including Brian Martin, former Leighton Township trustee, but the strip is co-owned by Bill Martin.
Though the issue was not on the agenda of Thursday night’s Leighton Township Board meeting, several of the opponents appeared at the meeting, including Mark Ouwinga, who now customarily brings with him a videotaping decide.
Kate Scheltema, who co-owns a horse farm near the proposed strip, has opposed the idea from the beginning and has maintained that it will cause harm to her horses and business.
The issue last month was put on hold by the Planning Commission until an aviation expert can be brought in to answer lingering questions about noise and environmental impact. Whether Galloway’s new plan changes all of that remains to be seen.
Board Trustee John Hooker, also a member of the Planning Commission, said the commission has not yet had enough time to properly examine the new proposal.
Citizen Linda Tubergen gave her reaction to the new plan rather quickly, saying, “(Regardless) There’s still going to be airplanes flying in and out.”
Other highlights from Galloway’s proposal, in the landing strip and operating area:
- FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) classification as “private use only.”
- Existing adjacent airplane hangar buildings for owners and renters.
- On-site EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved fuel storage.
- Surrounding pavement around hangars with access to northwest end of air strip.
- Access to and from rural residential lots with shared private driveway by lot owners/guests.
Under the heading “aircraft operations and limitations:
- Invited guests with maximum 10-day annual overnight parking.
- Maximum aircraft size of 4,000 pounds, dry weight.
- Night takeoffs limited to before 10:30 p.m.
The Leighton Township Planning Commission will have a public hearing on the new plan for Green Lake Landings at its meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 11.
